The Scottish Government is being urged to help cover the cost of transferring a Covid-hit care home into the public sector.
HC-One, the operators of Home Farm care home in Portree, has revealed it is in advanced talks with NHS Highland about the future operation of the facility where 10 residents died of Covid-19.
It is believed NHS Highland and Highland Council has offered to take over health and social care at the home, but will require additional funding of about £1million a year.
Skye councillor John Gordon, whose father died in the home, said: “There is no confidence and trust in HC-One locally so it’s the right course of action that NHS are the providers of care.
“The Scottish Government now needs to fully fund NHS Highland and the Highland Council in terms of capital costs and running costs as both these organisations are cash-strapped.
“This situation needs to be resolved as the distress caused locally cannot continue.”
Fay Thomson, whose sister Meg Cameron is a resident at the home, said she also “wholeheartedly” supported the transfer of Home Farm to the public sector.
One issue to be resolved is the ownership of the home. It is believed the building is owned by a subsidiary of HC-One.
The company declined to comment yesterday.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant is also writing to the government appealing for the funds to be made available urgently to ensure the transfer of the home into public hands.
She said: “Ministers must try now to redeem themselves for failing to safeguard the vulnerable people in our care homes, for throwing them to the wolves during this pandemic.
“They’ve shrouded in secrecy crucial facts on care home Covid deaths and outbreaks, and safe staffing levels but despite the secrecy, everyone knows the magnitude of their failures. Care of our elderly needs to be funded properly.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We are monitoring the latest Home Farm developments closely and an announcement will follow in due course.”
Earlier this week the Care Inspectorate dropped legal action against HC One after significant improvements were made in the quality of care at the home following an inspection in May.
